the expression "with bells on"

[Sweetpumpkin]

Hello there,

I have a question on the expression "with bells on". It means "eagerly" "be ready to enjoy", etc. Why "bells"? What does "bells" mean? It has to have some origin like "bury the hatchet" which means "reconcile", being originated from the tradition of burying the arms and cease the battle(or fight)- as far as I know. What is the origin of "with bells on"?

Thank you for your attention in advance,
sweetpumpkin

[Alan]

Hi,

I could only suggest that it comes from the traditional costume worn by a court jester. He would be available to cheer people up and keep conversation lively and on his costume there would be several bells jingling away as well as on the stick he would flourish to help him in his job. Another similar expression from a British English source is 'with knobs on' to indicate extra adornment. You could use this expression possibly when you're describing a new computer you've just bought by saying it has all the latest equipment and features - in other words with knobs on.

Alan
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[Molly]

Here's another suggested source:

goes back to the days before automobile, when it was the custom to deck out with the fanciest harness the horse that drew the carriage for special occasions. That, of course, was the harness ’with bells on.’" From the "Morris Dictionary of Word Phrase Origins" by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, Publishers, New York, 1977, 1988).

http://askville.amazon.com/origin-phrase-arrive-bells-arrival-party/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=100581